Phew. Monday again. This week I am gearing up for NaNoWriMo, and finishing brainstorming and outlining for the November novel. I think this will be good, as I continue to hash out my revisions on my Star novel. I didn't do a ton of writing last week, but I did a ton of thinking. Which also means that my house got cleaner. Last week I also put together a soundtrack for my new NaNoWriMo novel, so I'm ready. Clarification (for anyone coming to the party late, and welcome, if you are): I write to a soundtrack--a line-up of songs which mimics the emotional journey of my characters. I find it a wonderful tool for immediately putting me inside my novel--an essential thing since I am writing in snatches of stolen time.
So, this week, I'm just going to plug ahead, and work on whatever moves me. I want my revisions on the Star novel to be completed by the end of the year, but I have some thinking to do because I know it lacks something. Luckily, I know what it lacks--I just have to figure out exactly how I want to put it in. When I am in a creative quandry, I get intellectual. And create charts and graphs and outlines. I'll show you mine if you show me yours.
How about you? Anyone participating in NaNoWriMo? Mardi Gras for writers (I've never done it--I'm just hoping). What are your goals for the week?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Little Truths
I read a ton. I suspect that most writers do. And I read a good variety, in different genres to suit my mood. Right now I have 26 books out from the library--although some of those are titles for my kids to read. And some I know I won't get to. I just like to be prepared for whatever mood strikes me. The three on my nightstand right now are: DIARY OF A BLUES GODDESS by Erica Orloff; WILLIAM S. AND THE GREAT ESCAPE by Zilpha Keatley Snyder; and RIVER SECRETS by Shannon Hale.
One of the best general tips that I got from my writing partner (thanks, R!) is to keep a reading journal. I can flip through and remember specific quotes and plot lines from books that I read days, weeks, months ago. Things that touch me. Things I never want to forget. Like this:
Sometimes we have little truths in our hearts, in dark corners where we never shine a light. Then someone comes along with a candle and lights up that corner with something he says or something she does...and we know we can't ignore the truth that's hiding in the dark. Even if we blow the candle out, we know. The truth is there.
Excerpt from DIARY OF A BLUES GODDESS
Erica-- You Rock!
On the weeks that I don't have high word count, I find that I am shining lights through my story, looking for little truths and exposing weaknesses. That is what I am doing this week--ruminating with a candle.
What are you reading (or writing) that resonates with you?
One of the best general tips that I got from my writing partner (thanks, R!) is to keep a reading journal. I can flip through and remember specific quotes and plot lines from books that I read days, weeks, months ago. Things that touch me. Things I never want to forget. Like this:
Sometimes we have little truths in our hearts, in dark corners where we never shine a light. Then someone comes along with a candle and lights up that corner with something he says or something she does...and we know we can't ignore the truth that's hiding in the dark. Even if we blow the candle out, we know. The truth is there.
Excerpt from DIARY OF A BLUES GODDESS
Erica-- You Rock!
On the weeks that I don't have high word count, I find that I am shining lights through my story, looking for little truths and exposing weaknesses. That is what I am doing this week--ruminating with a candle.
What are you reading (or writing) that resonates with you?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Organic
Whenever I get frustrated with the speed of writing, I remind myself that the best writing is organic. The story itself grows at its own pace, taking on a life of it's own. You can't rush it. You can't rush writing it; you can't rush revising it. There are other things that you can't rush.
You can't rush relationships. Some may happen quickly. You may find a kindred spirit. But the trust? The comfortable familiarity? Well, you can't rush it. It has to be organic.
You also can't rush knowledge. You can't skip a rung on the learning ladder. You can't jump past where you.
And I think that if you are firmly with the moment, if you are letting things grow, organically, then the universe responds with what you need. To enable you to grow and keep moving forward.
I am where I need to be right now, as is my writing. Would I love it if the writing resembled what it is in my imagination? Yes. Will it get there? Yes. Organically.
You can't rush relationships. Some may happen quickly. You may find a kindred spirit. But the trust? The comfortable familiarity? Well, you can't rush it. It has to be organic.
You also can't rush knowledge. You can't skip a rung on the learning ladder. You can't jump past where you.
And I think that if you are firmly with the moment, if you are letting things grow, organically, then the universe responds with what you need. To enable you to grow and keep moving forward.
I am where I need to be right now, as is my writing. Would I love it if the writing resembled what it is in my imagination? Yes. Will it get there? Yes. Organically.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday Meeting
After completing many mundane and unsightly non-writing tasks this morning, I am rebelling against convention. (My own convention, in fact.) I'm not setting one goal this week. My writing partner is going out of town, so it makes sense to take this week as a 'bye' week. I am just going to wing it, and see where the writing muse takes me. Into Space, I imagine.
Where do you plan on going with your writing this week?
Where do you plan on going with your writing this week?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Parenting Styles
Critiquing is a skill. And one that I worry about when I do it. Am I truly respecting the writer's child? Am I loving it as it should be loved, and am I pointing out any misbehaving? Because otherwise, I'm letting that child (and writer) down.
My crit partner is a genius when it comes to critiquing. He carefully supports the neck and head as he holds my baby, says how beautiful she is, and then gently tells me that the baby has spit up all down its front. Perhaps I should consider changing her?
Writing is exploration for me--I go on walks with my baby through seedy parts of town--just to see. My baby doesn't know better. She gurgles happily in her stroller, and allows me to take her wherever I want to go. I love to walk. And when my crit partner says, "I think you took a wrong turn." I own up to it. "I know, I saw all the signs. The broken windows. The guys in ski masks. I know, I know. I never should have taken my baby down this way. But there was this really cool vintage shop just around the corner. And, on the way, I saw this other street. I think I'll take a look." I try the different direction. Even if I don't use any of the day's travels, the journey still helps me get to where I need to go. My crit partner understands this, and is a very patient co-parent and partner.
I recently did an exchange with new critter. And I was worried--not only did I not know what kind of parent she was, but would I be a good sitter for her? Would I love her child and know how to tell her when her child misbehaved? "We don't put our hands on the stove at my house..." Or would I let her child run rampant? Permissive parenting has never been my style. In the end, her baby was a delight. I loved the baby. I wasn't all that graceful in telling her my thoughts--I let the worry get in the way. However she was graceful in critiquing my baby. She was an extremely capable sitter--honest, reflective and respectful.
So, thanks R, for pointing out the seediness, and thanks E, for the honest feedback.
And thank you both, for never once saying (yet), "Dear God, what IS that thing?"
What kind of parent and sitter are you? What kind of sitter do you prefer for your baby?
My crit partner is a genius when it comes to critiquing. He carefully supports the neck and head as he holds my baby, says how beautiful she is, and then gently tells me that the baby has spit up all down its front. Perhaps I should consider changing her?
Writing is exploration for me--I go on walks with my baby through seedy parts of town--just to see. My baby doesn't know better. She gurgles happily in her stroller, and allows me to take her wherever I want to go. I love to walk. And when my crit partner says, "I think you took a wrong turn." I own up to it. "I know, I saw all the signs. The broken windows. The guys in ski masks. I know, I know. I never should have taken my baby down this way. But there was this really cool vintage shop just around the corner. And, on the way, I saw this other street. I think I'll take a look." I try the different direction. Even if I don't use any of the day's travels, the journey still helps me get to where I need to go. My crit partner understands this, and is a very patient co-parent and partner.
I recently did an exchange with new critter. And I was worried--not only did I not know what kind of parent she was, but would I be a good sitter for her? Would I love her child and know how to tell her when her child misbehaved? "We don't put our hands on the stove at my house..." Or would I let her child run rampant? Permissive parenting has never been my style. In the end, her baby was a delight. I loved the baby. I wasn't all that graceful in telling her my thoughts--I let the worry get in the way. However she was graceful in critiquing my baby. She was an extremely capable sitter--honest, reflective and respectful.
So, thanks R, for pointing out the seediness, and thanks E, for the honest feedback.
And thank you both, for never once saying (yet), "Dear God, what IS that thing?"
What kind of parent and sitter are you? What kind of sitter do you prefer for your baby?
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